Chapter 39: The Crown Prince Disappointed Qingque

"Qingque, are you fearmongering?" Li Chengqian was instantly incensed, lifting his head to glare at his brother.

"That is none of your concern. Regardless, keeping Father away from this is the right thing to do," Li Tai replied, unwilling to elaborate, his expression cold and defiant.

"Father, you must listen to me. You cannot allow the Crown Prince to start this steam engine. If it must be started, then... well," Li Tai hesitated, leaving his sentence unfinished.

"Well, what?" Li Shimin pressed urgently.

"It is just that Father must stay far away from this machine. It really might explode," Li Tai insisted.

"Why is that? Tell me, why would a perfectly good steam engine explode? Do you have some control over it?" Li Shimin asked, his gaze indifferent and slightly displeased.

The steam engine had been designed and built by Li Chengqian, while Li Tai’s responsibility was the *Records of Geography*. The two fields were entirely unrelated. Why was Li Tai so interested in the steam engine, and how did he know so much about it?

"Father, I cannot say," Li Tai lowered his head, then suddenly raised it again. "However, please believe me, Father. Everything I have said is true. This device, commissioned by the Crown Prince, did not exist in the Great Tang Empire before. How can you risk your noble life so lightly?"

"Qingque, is it that you cannot say, or that you dare not? What sordid deeds have you committed that are so shameful you dare not bring them into the light for Father and your brothers to see?" Li Chengqian retorted. He was used to this by now, but remembering his father’s exhortation to maintain brotherly harmony, he added, "However, as Crown Prince, I have no desire to—and will not—quibble with you."

Li Shimin felt a sense of relief upon hearing this. The Crown Prince was indeed a man of great character and breadth of mind.

"Chengqian, proceed with starting the steam engine. I trust you," Li Shimin said, stepping forward.

"Father, wait!" Li Tai exclaimed.

Li Shimin was immediately annoyed. As the Heavenly General and the Heavenly Khan, how could he be intimidated by such a minor obstacle?

"Father, I propose this: I shall have the men move the machine outside, and you and the others can watch from the second floor of the main hall. Would that be acceptable?" Li Chengqian had noticed Li Shimin’s apprehension; he was merely trying to save face, and providing a ladder to climb down was the best course of action.

Sure enough, Li Shimin was persuaded. Li Chengqian’s suggestion was ideal: it allowed for observation while mitigating the risk.

"This... very well. Chengqian is indeed thoughtful; observing from the second floor will be even clearer," Li Shimin smiled, agreeing, and turned to head toward the second floor. Li Tai, Li Zhi, and the others followed.

Li Chengqian remained behind, leading his guards to direct the testing of the steam engine.

"Chengqian, why aren't you coming up? Just let them run the test," Li Shimin called out in a hurry.

"Do not worry, Father. I have everything under control," Li Chengqian replied with a smile, looking up at Li Shimin.

He knew well that his father was still uneasy about this new invention, especially after the instigation of Li Tai and the others. As the Crown Prince and the chief designer, he had to set an example. If he were afraid of his own creation, how could he convince the people? If he showed fear, even if the machine proved successful, his reputation would be tarnished.

With that, Li Chengqian turned to face the machine, standing tall. He gestured to the guards and said calmly, "Bring the spinning wheel over and connect it to the steam engine."

"Yes, Your Highness," the guards replied and hurried to comply. Within half an incense stick’s time, the spinning wheel was connected.

The moment of truth was at hand.

"Father, please look. This is the speed of an ordinary spinning wheel," Li Chengqian said, bowing to Li Shimin before waving his hand. Several palace maids arrived to begin spinning.

At this time, spinning wheels were entirely manual, relying on human labor, making them highly inefficient. However, these were the most skilled maids Li Chengqian could find.

"Chengqian, why aren't you starting the steam engine?" Li Shimin asked, looking bewildered. He was, of course, familiar with standard spinning wheels. Then, it dawned on him—the Crown Prince had claimed this invention would liberate the hands of workers and drastically increase efficiency. Was this his point?

Li Chengqian smiled. "Father, I am about to start it now."

Li Shimin gestured for him to proceed, waiting with anticipation. On the second floor, Li Tai, Li Ke, and the others were equally expectant. Li Tai, in particular, was impatient to see Li Chengqian make a fool of himself. He leaned over the balcony, eyes wide, watching every movement to ensure he didn't miss a detail. He had waited a long time for this day, hoping for a spectacle of failure.

This was what Li Tai enjoyed most—watching the protagonist suffer humiliation. The others, like Li Zhi and Li Ke, were equally predatory, none of them willing to miss this prime opportunity. To them, only a failure by the Crown Prince could lead to their own ultimate victory and glory. Deep down, they hoped the steam engine would explode and take Li Chengqian with it.

Li Chengqian watched the manual spinning wheel operate for a while, then gave a wave. Yang Jiguang meticulously inspected the water tank, pipes, and all joints, ensuring everything was secure and checking the water levels. This was a complex and cautious process; any error could have disastrous consequences.

"How is it, Commander Yang?" Li Chengqian asked, walking over.

"Reporting to Your Highness, everything is prepared, save for the ignition," Yang Jiguang replied, having his men stack wood beneath the engine.

"Then what are we waiting for? Ignite it!" Li Chengqian commanded, waving a red flag.

The guards obeyed, and within moments, the wood was ablaze. On the second floor, Li Shimin and his entourage found the scene underwhelming. *Just burning wood? How much power could that possibly generate?* They remained skeptical.

However, the wood had been specially dried and treated with oil to ensure a fierce and consistent flame. Within half an hour, the water in the tank began to boil and churn. The wheels of the machine began to spin, rapidly gaining speed under the pressure of the steam, driving the connected spinning wheel to churn out thread at an astonishing pace.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the output exceeded what the manual labor had produced in a full hour. The efficiency was more than ten times higher, and the machine only required two people to monitor the water and fuel.

Li Shimin watched with rapt attention. As the Emperor of the Great Tang, he had seen countless spinning wheels, but never one of such efficiency. It was a strange irony for the Heavenly Khan.

"Impossible, this is impossible. Why didn't the cylinder explode?" Li Tai muttered to himself.

Li Zhi and Li Ke glanced at him in surprise. *Does Li Chengqian not know his own invention better than you do?*

"What did you say, Qingque? Your elder brother has poured his heart and soul into the Great Tang to create such a magnificent thing, and you are cursing it to explode?" Li Shimin’s face darkened instantly.